[ 34 ] 



vanity if he fubjoins, that he confiders himfelf entitled to the thanks of his countrymen, 

 for obligations of much higher and dearer pretenfions. He has made it his particular 

 ftudy to furnifh fociety with an acceffion, not only of ornamental, but of ufeful 

 members. 



He requires of his fcholars (who are now augmented to the number of ten) to yield 

 an implicit obedience to the Mailer, and to apply themfelves to their feveral occupations 

 with amduity, and in filence -, 



To maintain a itrict cordiality among themfelves ; 



To be more ready to amend their own failings than to expofe thofe of their fellows i 



To avoid with fcrupulous attention all indecent words and dishonourable actions ; 



To cultivate a love of truth, and entertain a modeil opinion of their own merits ; and 

 to refpect thofe of others. 



In fhort this little feminary is governed by the dictates of religion and virtue; and 

 the feveral duties both towards God and man are here ftrongly enforced; fince the 

 founder and conductor of it would feel it a nobler boaft to have educated one good 

 citizen, than any number of artifts however ingenious. 



To this general view of the manner in which the prefent work has been executed, 

 and of the inftitution founded for the purpofe, the author has only to add his warmeft 

 acknowledgements to thofe illuftrious characters who have condefcended to honour the 

 prefent undertaking with their diftinguifhed patronage : His Holinefs the Pope, the 

 Emperor of Germany, and the King of Naples, have each of them been gracioufly pleafed 

 to compliment him with a Gold Medallion, engravings of all which are given at the head 

 of this Preface. And the Prince of Orange, the Grand Duke of Ruffia, and other 

 princes, as well as many perfons eminent in fcience and literature, have done him the 

 favour of expreffing in the moil flattering manner the high fenfe which they profefs 

 themfelves to entertain of his various publications. If he were to give thefe letters at 

 large he might perhaps be accufed of orientation ; but whatever cenfure of that nature 

 he may hazard from lighter minds, he thinks it a duty which he owes to a man of 

 fcience not to fupprefs at leafc. the very elegant teftimonies of the celebrated Baron 

 Born, whofe fingle approbation is alone fufficient to ftamp univerfal currency on any 

 performance in natural hiftory. 



LETTER 



